Posted on 07/05/2006 8:15:28 AM PDT by frogjerk
UL. 5 8:54 A.M. ET New Jersey's casinos ushered the last of the gamblers away from slot machines and tables Wednesday, and janitors locked the doors behind them as a state government shutdown claimed its latest victims. In the first mass closure in the 28-year history of Atlantic City's legalized gambling trade, all 12 casinos were under state orders to lock up. Atlantic City's casinos are lucrative for New Jersey. They have a $1.1 billion payroll, and the state takes an 8 percent cut -- an estimated $1.3 million a day. But as a stalemate over the state budget entered its fifth day Wednesday with no deal in sight, even they had to shut down. With no state budget, New Jersey can't pay its state employees, meaning the casino inspectors who keep tabs on the money and whose presence is required at casinos are off the job. State parks and beaches were also closed Wednesday because of the lack of staff. "It's like last call at a bar. It's a little bit eerie," said Michael Trager, 36, of Cincinnati, was playing a video poker machine at 10 minutes to 8 a.m. when an attendant told him to conclude his bet. "They said, 'That's it, you gotta cash out. We're closing.'" The doors to the Boardwalk side of Caesar's were locked by janitors. An announcement came over the public address system telling gamblers the casino was closing. "It's history," said Andy Trechock, 41, of Depford, as he stepped away from a slot machine at Bally's Wild Wild West casino. The problem started when the Legislature missed its July 1 constitutional deadline to pass the budget amid a fight with Gov. Jon S. Corzine over his proposed boost in the state sales tax. Without a spending plan, Corzine ordered state offices shut
(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...
You voted them in. It's called representative government.
If this doesn't jumpstart the GOP races in this state, I don't know what possibly could. Dem in the governor's mansion. Dems running the lege. Only a DUmmie could blame the GOP for this one.
I didn't vote for them, thank-you.
It's not a business decision -- it's a legal issue. Without a budget in place, the state simply doesn't have the legal authority to spend any money except for those "essential" services that involve public safety.
I think Bernie Kerik should be named to replace Farber as AG. /sarcasm off/
Don't be. There'd be a palace coup before the shutdown lasts that long. One or two weeks max before somebody blinks.
I suspect the state is also incapable of keeping people out of those places, too. If I had plans to go camping this week, I wouldn't change them. If it means doing a little off-roading to get around a barrier on an access road, then so be it.
Scum like Bill Bennett?
well there is always McGreedys boy toy
Maybe Corzine's goal is to rehabilitate the career of McGayvey by being so bad that the people of NJ would beg to take the "Gay American" back as gov.
Don't be so hasty in letting Republicans off the hook. I saw a Republican rep from the Atlantic City area interviewed on Phila. news and he is on Corzine's side for raising taxes because he's catching so much heat from his constituents who are being hurt because of the casino shutdowns.
Republicans and Democrats both sell their souls for votes in NJ.
My authority is Hubby who is driving in NJ. Usually, he reports an increased "state employee" activity when I tell him about these alerts. Unfortunately, today he hasn't been on major roads.
Don't be. There'd be a palace coup before the shutdown lasts that long. One or two weeks max before somebody blinks.
You should try and renegotiate your hotel rate if you have reserved a room already...maybe you can save a couple of bucks.
You mean we no longer have a "Gay American" as gov?
Hard to do little off roading on the Wading and Mullica Rivers. All the major canoeing tracks run through state owned forest. Most like to make it a two day trip. Unless you are willing to pay a pretty steep fine, it is a good idea to have a permit.
If my sweet little elderly mom didn't go there with her church group, I'd take her for the day. She played the 25 cent slots. I don't ever remember her losing more than $75.00. She'd put in her quarters, hit, and that would go on for hours and hours. She didn't smoke or drink. She'd play those slots with the same money over and over again, and was so pleased with herself. It gave her so much joy.
Her last visit was when she was around 87 years old. She died at 91. She's looking down on you now, and probably angry that you called her the scum of the earth.
Park anywhere, drop your canoe in the water, and do whatever it is you would have done. If anyone gives you any grief, you can always pretend you had no idea you paddled into a state park.
My mom would get those coupons for 20 dollars worth of quarters and a comp. dinner and spend a day at the casino.
unfortunately even in NJ ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
I was referring to the named persons in the excerpt.
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